We had a wonderful visit with Melanie and her family! We loved being in their home and eating the delicious food that Hanne (mom) fixed for us, talking (several languages sometimes), playing games. exploring the town of Kusel on foot, sleeping in Melanie's room, and touring around the surrounding areas by car. What great memories!
2 of Melanie's friends (both named Katie) that came over to meet us and play games the first night (Friday, Jan 30th)
Melanie and her dad, Robert, with a night view of their village out the front window.
Melanie Paul (17 yrs) with her pink "blankie" that we brought home to her from MO!
Photo taken just after we arrived in Kusel, Germany at her family's home. (Melanie was AFS student with Lori's family in 2007-2008 in Blue Springs--our granddaughter!)
Hanne (Melanie's mom, teaches English among other subjects), Melanie, & G-Pa-D the same evening
Every day Robert took us on a car trip to see surrounding areas. Sat, Jan 31, he & Melanie took us to the ancient city of Trier, Germany in the Mosel Valley. Roman ruins in this photo.
Beautiful buildings in Trier
Saturday market just shutting down in Trier.
The main Altar in the RC cathedral in Trier.
Couldn't resist this Cherub (similar to so many at Harlaxton)
in Cathedral (Trier)
Cathedral--Trier
A governmental palace and gardens in Trier.
Robert drove us over into a small town inLuxembourg. This is on the Mosel River bridge showing the border between Germany & Luxembourg.
Just over the border, taken at night with night setting on camera.
(European Union symbol of stars)
At the end of a good and long day, D sitting in Robert's favorite chair (in front of fireplace) reading book he bought for us of Trier.
Sunday morning, Feb 1, Kusel village taken from the front window of their house.
A view of the Pauls' house taken from the driveway.
Robert and Hanne took us on a loop trip in Germany.
A view of the vineyards & villages in the Rhiune Valley--taken from the base of the Hambach Castle
Hambach Castle ( Robert with B & D) COLD!
A vineyard in the Rhine Valley (up close).
Speyer, Germany--an interesting building housing a museum with a Viking exhibition.
Speyer Cathedral
Speyer Cathedral
Speyer, just outside the Cathedral
An organ grinder along the street from the Cathdral in Speyer. (couldn't resist)
Hanne & Robert posing in Speyer (with whom?)
A Mexican cafe in Speyer; we didn't get to try it, unfortunately.
Hanne's mother, Marie Miller (87 yrs), in her home in Annweiler
She prepared 2 cakes, tea & coffee for us.
She also spoke better English than we spoke German.
Delightful Grandmother of Melanie's--
5th generation in her house.
Brisk, cold walk around the town of Annweiler with Hanne and Marie.
Along the Annweiler Canal nearing dusk
The Castle above the town of Annweiler
Monday morning, Feb 2, after the snow during the night
Taken from front balcony of house
Mon, Feb 2, Robert took us to Metz, France (without Melanie or Hanne to translate for him)
He did a wonderful job of speaking with us in English, though it must have been tiring for him!
Large RC Cathedral (Metz) in the snow
Mosel River in the city of Metz, France
Getting closer to the Cathedral, Metz
One of 3 stained-glass windows by Marc Chagall in the Cathedral.
Taken for Organists and other Church Music lovers--read on.
The organ in the Swallow's Nest (see previous write-up)
Cathedral, Metz
Robert's NEW school (Middle-school levels) where he is Principal,
Zweibrucken, Germany
Back home. Melanie, Robert, Hanne, and their Mexican AFS student,
Juan (Colima, Mexico) (Somehow he didn't make it into earlier photos I chose.)
Lots of game playing when we weren't out touring.
Juan, Robert, and Betty playing "Pounce" at the dining room table
The whole family out to eat (our thanks treat) at an Italian restaurant in Kusel
Robert, Juan, Dean, Melanie, Hanne, Betty (most of us had pizza--yummy!)
We had a good 5 days in London with visits to art galleries, museums, plays, good food, and just relaxing at our hotel (after a very good and busy time in Germany)
